Books

The genius of presenting the self-absorbed and corrupted provincial community of Lola, is in the group work of the actors, each of whom have a different role and yet the same role. So just as local government is represented, so are other institutions such as the clergy and the police, here in the smooth persona of Karl-Heinz von Hassel.

What would this guy be doing sitting in on planning meetings? Karl-Heinz von Hassel is there to remind us that in the provinces, and when it comes to market capital and the possibility of corruption, all aspects of civic living are involved. He stares stupidly into the distance and claps when need be; coming to life and then returning slowly to his dream state.

He is in fact the most ineffectual policeman you will ever see, with the uniform appearing as a mere formality. In every situation, his hands are tied, if only by his own lethargy, and he is merely focused on being a part of the group that he is – one that in terms of intelligence and class, he clearly doesn’t belong to.

These are the perks of the police. When the moment comes, and the yoyo toting Esslin tries to wind up the town officials, Timmerding adopts this amazing barking voice, which makes him sound like a crazy school prefect, using his authority as a loud cudgel, but it is never to any effect